A sorber



March 7, 95 T. A. som-BER 2,499,534

RECEIVING CIRCUIT OF MULTICHANNEL PULSE-POSITION-MODULATION SYSTEMS Filed Dec, 28, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 THQ/VA! A. 5019195@ Aci/vr;

Patented Mar. 7, 1950 JNITED STATE S PATENT OFFICE RECEIVING CIRCUIT OF MULTICHANNEL PULSE-POSITION-MODULATION SYSTEMS Application December 28, 1946, Serial No. 719,031

4 Claims.

The invention herein described and claimed relates to multi-channel microwave signalling' systems employing time-spaced pulses.

In multi-channel microwave signalling systems of the type referred to, a series of successive pulses is transmitted in sequence, and the series is repeated many times per second. Each of the pulses of the sequential series is a component of a dillerent signal wave. The pulses are of substantially equal amplitude and may be position modulated, or may be pulse-length moduiated within a corresponding series of sequential channels of equal time duration. At the receiving end, means are provided for sorting the pulses of the sequential series into circuits identified with individual signal waves. In most systems of which I have knowledge, the sorting is performed after the pulses have been converted from position-modulated or pulse-lengthmodulated pulses into amplitude-modulated signais. The present invention provides improved means for accomplishing sorting in such a receiving system.

In the copending application of Wilson P. Boothroyd filed January 16, 1947, Serial No. 722,357, assigned to Philco Corporation, an improved receiving system is described which is adapted for use in a multi-channel pulse-pos?.- ticn-modulation system. In a preferred embodiment of the Boothroyd receiving system. incoming position-modulated pulses are converted into pulse-length-modulated pulses and then, as by means of an integrating circuit, into amplitudemodulated signals whose peak amplitudes cccur at irregularly spaced intervals. Sorting of the irregularly spaced amplitude-modulated signals may be accomplished by various means, but the means which 1 have conceived, which is the subject matter of this invention is superior to the others, and represents a decided improvement 'thcreoven It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide means for sorting sequential amplitudemodulated signals occurring at irregularly spaced intervals into individual circuits, the sequential signals being components of different signal waves.

It is another object of this invention to provide means whereby irregularly spaced sequential amplitude-modulated signals are caused to be extant at regularly spaced times.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide means whereby sequential amplitudemodulated signals, which attain individual peak amplitudes at various relative times within se- 2 quential time channels, are stored at peak value until the ends of the time channels.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become clear from a consideration of the following detailed description of a specific embodiment and of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration, partly diagrammatic, partly schematic, of a circuit employing the invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagram which will be helpful in understanding the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a source 9 of signal wave A comprised of timespaced position-modulated pulses a, b, c and d. The spacings between these pulses vary in accordance with the audio modulation but the amplitudes of the pulses are equal and they are all of like polarity.

For the purpose of facilitating discussion of the present invention it will be assumed that the circuit shown in Figure 1 is employed in a multi-channel pulse-position-modulation system and that signal wave A from source 9 is representative of a sequential series of thirty successive positive pulses which is repeated at ai; 8 ke. rate, each of the pulses of the sequential series being a sampled part of a different signal wave.

Signal wave A is applied by way of conductor il to a direct-coupled multivibrator circuit i2 having two stable conditions in either of which the circuit is in equilibrium, such circuits being commonly referred to as flip-flop circuits. `Flip-flop circuits are known in the art, and the purpose of flip-flop circuit i2 in the receiving system now being described will become clear as the description proceeds.

In Figure 1, signal wave A is also applied to a filter circuit I0, tuned to the average repetition frequency of the pulses delivered by source 9. In the present illustration, the average pulse-repetition frequency is 240 kc., (i. e. 30 8 kc.) and the 240 kc. sine wave voltage B. shown in Figures 1 and 2, is obtained from the signal wave A by means of the tuned filter circuit i0.

Sine wave voltage B delivered by filter i0 is applied to clipper i3 through a phase-shifting circuit Il. The function of circuit i4 is to provide a manual adjustment by means of which the phase of the 240 kc. sine wave B may be adjusted, for purposes that will become clear. Circuit i4 may comprise any suitable form of phase-shifting circuit as, for example, a conventional R-C or R-L type of circuit.

Clipper I3 may comprise a double-diode limiter circuit. or any other form of limiter circuit suitable for converting the 240 kc. sine wave voltage into the square wave voltage depicted in Figures 1 and 2 by waveform C.

Square wave voltage C is applied to voltage differentiating circuit I5 and is therein differentiated to produce the unit pulses depicted in Figures l and 2 by waveform D. These unit pulses are commonly referred to as pips cr spikes. The occurrence of the positive spikes of waveform D is coincident with the leading edges of the positive pulses of square wave C, as ls clearly shown in Figure 2. By properly phasing the sine wave B, as by means of phase-shifting cir cuit I4. the positive spikes f waveform D may be used to mark the beginnings of the individual time channels; and in the operation of the circuit of Figure 1, the positive spikes of wave D are utilized as channel markers in a -manner to be described. positive spikes-are 4.16 as apart (i. e. one sec-240 kc.) and each -channel is 4.16 as wide.

The spikes from differentiating `circuit I5 are applied by way of conductor I6 to ilip-op circuit I2. In the operation of the circuit of Figure l, flip-flop circuit I2 is-employed in such manner that a positive spike from differentiating circuit I5, arriving at circuit I2 by way of conductor I6, is effective to develop. substantially instantaneously, a negative voltage across the output impedance ofthe-flip-fiopcircuit; and this negative potential is maintained at a substantially constant level until the leading edge vof a positive pulse from source -9 arrives at flipfiop circuit I2 by Vway of Iconductor II, at which time the negative potential across the output, impedance of the dip-flop -circuit is suddenly removed. The wave shape of the voltage `developed across the output impedance of hip-flop circuitI I2 is consequently that of a series of negative pulses whose leading edges are coincident .with the beginnings of the individual time channe`s and whose trai'ingl edges are coincident -with the-time of arrival of the positive pulses from sources. In other words. flip-flop circuit I2 .delivers negative pulses-which are length modulated 'in conformity with the pulse-position modulation of signal wave A. The pulse-length-rnodulated pulses delivered by ip-flop circuit I2 are depicted in Figures 1 and 2 as waveform E. It will be. observed that the longer negatve pulses of waveform E are produced by theposition-modulated pulses of signal wave'A which occur later in the channel period.

The pulse-length modulated pulses of waveform E are applied to an integrating circuit I1 which functions to convert pulse-length-modulated 4waveform E into a series of'positive amplitude-modulated signals having the shape indicated by waveform F in Figures 1 and 2. It will be observed that the positive signals are built up lat a substantially constant rate and that the peak amp`itudes of waveform F occur at irregularly-spaced times; the smallerthe-.axnplitude the earlier the peak .is reached.

The circuit thusfar described is shownand described in greater detailf in the'copending application of' W.,P. Boothroyd previously-cited.

'In ,accordance'with :my invention, improved `means Vare provided for accomplishing segregation of the, irregularly s-pacedamplitude-modulated signals of waveform F- into individualchannel circuits. As shown in Figurel. thesisnals of waveform Fiareapplied. by 'way'.offan .'impedance-matching :cathode-loaded :nimmt I8.

In the present illustration, the

ers, i.e. long in comparison with the width o:

the individual channels. If desired, resistor 2i may be completely omitted from the circuit, ir. -which case the time constant of capacitor 2| if extremely long irrespective of the value of tre capacitor. An extremely long time constant is not disadvantageous, however. as will become clear as the .description proceeds.

As the rising positive voltage of an amplitudemodulated signal of waveform F is applied to vdiode I9 by way of cathode-follower circuit I8. a corresponding positive voltage is built up across capacitor 2I of output circuit 20. for cathode 23 of diode I9 follows the rising positive voltagel of the signal impressed upon plate 24. In the absence of means for discharging capacitor 2|, the voltage thereacross would represent the peak value of the signal of greatest amplitude applied to diode I9. For the purpose of discharging capacitor 2| at periodi: intervals, there is connected across output network 20 'a triode 25 whose cathode 26 is returned to a lpoint (C-l the po tential of which is somewhat. below ground potential. Triode 25 is'normaliy biased to cut-off. as by neans of a negative bias (C-), applied to control grid 29 by way of resistor 48.

The positive spikes of voltage waveform D developed by differentiating circuit I5, which, as previously described. mark the beginning of the channel periods, are appliedv by way of conductor 2T and coupling capacitor 28 to grid 29 of triode 25 with the result that -triode 25ccnducts momentarily each time-'a positive spike arrives at grid 29. In other words. triode 2E'conducts momentarily at the beginning of.,eac h channel period.

During the momentary conduction of triode 25. i. e. for the duration of eachposltivespike of waveform D.- the plate resistance of'triode 25 drops to avery low value and capacitor'il discharges rapidly through the triode to ground. In this action, the positive potential of plate 3U of triode 25 drops toward the negative potential (C-) of cathode 26. To prevent nlate 30, and hence-capacitor 2I. from dropping below ground potential a diode leveler tube 3l may be connected across triode 25. plate 32-oithe diode 3| being connected to ground and the cathode 33 being connected to -plate 30 of triode 2b'. It will be seen that if plate 30 of triode 25 tends to drop below ground potential-cathode 33 will tend to do likewise and diode 3i will thereupon conduct. thus limiting the negative-potential excursion ofV conductor 34 to a Vnegligible quantity.

The voltages developed across capacitor '2i take the form depicted-as waveform G in Figures 1 and 2. By comparing waveform Gwith waveform F,the effect ofV the action of diode I8; longhoid'netwcrk 20.triode 25-and ldiode'SI-may be clearly seen. In waveformiF the rising positive voltage is seen to drop sharply tog-round potential-coincident with the arrival-ofeasignal vpulse ,charged upon thezarrivalof-signalpulse irom source, 9 but-.ia mamtainedibysthesactianiof. netannessa .5@ work 2B awaiting arrival-ota'posltivefspihe l*from differentiating `circuit 45. lUpon arrival of such positive spllse -at Agrid 2? of triade 125. .capacitor 2i discharges rapidly.

Observe that the 'peak amplituleoeach signal oi waveform G is extern: ineach .channel just prior to thc end oi the channel period. ince'the rnd -of the channel period occurs yat regularly spaced times, the'peak amplitude ofeach successive signal exists at Aregularly spaced times, :and segregation of the signal:"intoindiVidual-chnnnel circuits in sequence may now .bereadilyachieved ns, for example, by 'means of a=radial beam tube. Radial beam tubes-of thertype required arc'known in the art and a 'brief description thereof 4will suillcc.

.Tn Figure '1, radial fbeam ytube '35 'is schematically shown to Acomprise a .cathode Aliti. .a `control grid T37, a screening element Sli, and amultipllclty of anodes .39. A vsuppressor .grid finot shown) is ordinarily included 'in thc tube structure. Cathode 3B 4is cylindrical and is positioned vertically in the center .of the tube. Control grid '3-1 is a cylindrical mesh structure closclyrsurrounding cathode 3B. Beyond control grid 3|? is a multisegment .cylindrical screening 'element 38 having a plurality of narrow apertures 4or `windows 40. Immediately behind each aperture iis an 'anode 39. In the 'thirty-channel system .being described, radial beam tube .85 would 'have thirty apertures .and thirty mutually-insulated anodes. Each anode'is .connected .tonne of the individualchannel .audio circuits, as 'by imearrs -pf a .conduct'm. Only three conductors 6i, 4t2 and t3 are shown in the drawing but these are intended to be representative of the thirty conductors which would oe required in the thirty-channel system being described.

Electron beam Q4 is asingle beam, iocused and rotated in known manner by known means, as by the application of rotating magnetic and electrostatic fields. Suitable means for producing and focusing single beam M, and for ,effecting rotaton thereof, are described in an article -b A. M. .Skellett entitled Themagnetically focused radial beam vacuum tube" published in .the .Bell System Technical Journal, .April 1944, volume XXTII. No. 2, pages 190-202. The structure of radial beam tube 35 shown schematically miligure l and .briefly described above,may,.if desired, he similar to the radial beam tube which is fully rlcscribed in the article just cited.

Electron beam L34 is rotated at a speed of 8000 R. P. S. and its rotation is synchronized with the occurrence of the individual channels of the multi-channel system by means which are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure l and which will now be described. To facilitate description oi the synchronizing means illustrated, assume that twenty-nine of the channels carry message intelligence in the form of position-modulated pulses of 0.5 us duration each, and the thlrtieth channel carries a synchronizing pulse of 3 as duration. The position-modulated signals from source Si are applied by way of conductor 45 to pulse-length discrimlnator 4B (upper left-hand portion of Fig. 1) which passes only the 3 ,us synchronizing pulses and suppresses all the 0.5 ps message intelligence pulses. The synchronizing pulse is then applied to a. delay circuit 47 which ls arranged, in the present illustration, to deliver an output pulse 124 s after the application of the synchronizing pulse. Il' desired, delay circuit l may be similar to the circuit shown and described in the copending application of Robert C.

Moore, .entitled "'Pulse .delay system," filed lApril 29, 1944, Serial No. 533,385, now U.'.S.Patent No.

"2579.954, .granted August 23, '-1949, assigned to Philco Corporation. The delay introduced by circuit M between the applied synchx onizing pulse 4andthe output pulse is equal to almost one cycle of 'the .8 irc. frequency. i. e. to almost the length -oi the synchronizing-pulse repetition period.

The delayed pulse from circuit 24T is'then applied to pulse gate I9 to open the gate for the succeedying:synchronizing pulse vwhich is applied directly :to Apulse gate #il by .way of conductor 50. Conductor 550 carries message intelligence as well as :synchronizing pulses, but only the synchronizing pulses pass through lpulse gate 49 since the gate is 4closed except at vsynchronizing-pulse time.

The 4synchronizing pulses pass through gate .as :at Va frequency 'ci' '8 kc. and are used to synchronize the multivibrator5i at its fundamental frequency. 'Multivibrator Si delivers an 8 kc. square Wave whichis-applied to filter 52 to obtain 'an '8 kc. sir-e wave and the 8'kc. sine wave is then applied .as by 'way of conductor 53 and phase nized .with the occurrence oi the individual channels of the sequential fseries, as deilned by the individual-channel marker'pulses previously refer-red to, that beam di! sweeps across the anode associated with va particular channel at a time just prior to the end of the channel-period.

Referring again 'to the schematic representation of'radial beam `tube' in`Figure l, lt'will be f-understood that, as beam M sweeps radially through Ia complete rotation, the beam electrons `pass through each of the thirty apertures i'i sequence; and in passing through a particular aperture, the eleotronsimpinge upon the partic- -ular anode located immediately behind that-aperture. The'beam electrons consequently impinge upon'each ofthe thirty anodes in sequence. For a 'given speed of rotation, 'the duration of impingcment upon each anode is determined by the width of the beam. the width of the aperture, and the width of the anode. By a proper selection of dimensions, the duration of impingement upon each anode may be made very short, as, for example, 0.5 as, and by suitable adjustment of the phase of beam rotation, with respect to the occurrence of the time channels as defined by thc individual-channel marker pulses, each anode may be impinged or scanned for 0.5 s immediately preceding the end of the channel period associated therewith. As each anode is thus scanned, the beam intensity is modulated by the signal then existing on control grid 31 and a corresponding signal is developed in the individualchannel circuit associated with that anode. Waveform H of Figure 2 depicts the signals thus generated sequentially in the individual-channel circuits. And it will be clearly seen from wavelorm G that, by virtue of the action of the long hold circuit comprised of network 20, triode 25, and diodes i9 and 3i, the amplitude of the signal on control grid 31 immediately preceding the end of each channel period corresponds to the time position or the puise transmitted during-that channel period.

The synchronizing means described above are suitable for use in systems in which one of the channels is allocated to the transmission oi 1. synchronizing pulse. If desired, howcver. all oi the channels may be assigned to the transmission of message intelligence. the transmission of a synchronizing pulse not being essential to the operation of the system. For example, the 240 kc.'

square wave voltage available at the output of clipper i3 may be applied, by way of switch S, to a frequency divider circuit 5B and therein rcduced to say 40 kc., and then further reduced to an B kc. square wave by means of frequency-Cli-` vider circuit 57. The output of frequency-divider circuit 51 may then "ie applied to filter 52 to provide the 8 kc. sine wave voltage necessary to drive beam M of radial beam tube 35.

I have described my improved means in the environment oi' a receiving system which is simiiai to one of the systems shown and described in the copending Boothroyd application previously cited. However, my improved means may be employed to equal advantage in other systems, as for example, in other of the systems shown in the Boothroyd application. In fact, the invention may be advantageously utilized wherever it is required to sort sequential. irregularly-spaced, am-

plitude-modulated signals, or wherever it is re- I' quired that irregularly-spaced amplitude-modulated signals be extent at regularly spaced times.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a receiver in a multi-channel system: a source of a recurrent series of sequential timespaced signals of varying amplitudes and varying spacings, said signals belonging to different channels; means comprising a long time constent circuitl for storing said signals; means for discharging said stored signals at regularly spaced intervals coincident with the end oieach channel period; means for deriving signals from said stored signals immediately prior to the encl of each channel period; and means for segregating said derived signals into individual circuits.

3. In an electrical system: a source of successive time-spaced voltage signals of various amplitudes and various spacings; a source of successive regularly-spaced reference pulses of preselected polarity, said pulses alternating in occurrence with said signals; ste. ige means; means for applying a first of said signals to said storage means to store a first voltage corresponding in amplitude to that of said rst signal; discharge means for said storage means, said discharge means being inoperative unless actuated; means .responsive to a first of said reference pulses for actuating said discharge means to discharge said first voltage from said storage means prior to the application of a .".econd of said signals; means for applying a second of said signals to said storage means to store a second voltage corresponding in amplitude to that of said second signal: means responsive to a second of said reference pulses for actuating said discharge means to discharge said second voltage from said storage means prior to the application of a third of said signals; and means for deriving signals from said stored voltages at regularly spaced intervals.

4. In the combination claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the means for deriving signals from said stored voltages at regularly spaced intervals comprises means for deriving signals from said stored voltages immediately lprior to said actuation of said discharge means.

THOMAS A. SORBER.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the vfile of this patent:

UN'ITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,057,773 Finch Oct. 20, 1936 2,277,516 Henroteau Mar. 24, 1942 2,404,306 Luck July 16, 194e 2,416,286 Busignies Feb. 25, 1947 2,416,305 Grieg c Feb. 25, 1947 2,416,330 Labin et al Feb. 25, 1947 2,419,340 Easton Apr. 22, 1947 

